Ignition distributor

ABSTRACT

An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine. An ignition spark energy conductive circuit, connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, is in arc-gap relationship with the distributor output circuits through which the ignition spark energy is conducted to the respective spark plugs of the engine. A rotatable member of insulating material, having one or more areas through which ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the output circuits at a time, is disposed within the arc-gaps and rotated by the distributor shaft.

United States Patent [191 House Mar. 26, 1974 1 IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,

Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 227,940

Ronnalee House, Anderson, Ind.

[52] US. Cl..... l23/l46.5 A, 123/148 R, ZOO/11 A, 200/81.16, 200/8 R 7/1965 Braunagel 200/8 R 3,030,460 4/1962 Huetten ZOO/1 16 Primary ExaminerLaurence M. Goodridge Assistant Examiner-Ronald B. Cox

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard G. Stahr [57] ABSTRACT An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine. An ignition spark energy conductive circuit, connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, is in arc-gap relationship with the distributor output circuits through which the ignition spark energy is conducted to the respective spark plugs of the engine. A rotatable member of insulating material, having one or more areas through which ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the output circuits at a time, is disposed within the arc-gaps and rotated by the distributor shaft.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUIARZS mm 13799135 SHEET 2 OF 2 IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR This invention is directed to ignition distributors and, more specifically, to an ignition distributor of the type in which a rotatable member of insulating material, having one or more areas through which the ignition spark energy may be conducted, is disposed within arcgaps between an ignition spark energy conductive circuit and each of the distributor output circuits and rotated in timed relationship with the engine.

Future internal combustion engine ignition systems for motor vehicles may be required to deliver higher ignition spark energy with longer burn time, possibly 40,000 volts as opposed to the 20,000 to 30,000 volts of present systems, to enable the firing of much wider gap spark plugs. Experimentation with this high ignition spark energy has exposed severe problems. For example, the contactor between the high tension terminal connected to one side of the ignition coil secondary winding and the rotor of the distributor was rapidly deteriorated due to the higher voltage. In addition, the increased ignition spark energy produced arcs over wider gaps inside the ignition distributor which resulted in an arc-over between the rotor contact and the wrong spark plug output circuit.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved internal combustion engine ignition distributor.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved internal combustion engine ignition distributor in which a rotatable member of insulating material, having one or more areas through which ignition spark energy may be conducted, is disposed within arc-gaps between an ignition spark energy conductive circuit, connected to the ignition coil secondary winding, and each of the distributor output circuits to the spark plugs and rotated in timed relationship with the engine.

In accordance with this invention, an improved ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine is provided wherein an ignition spark energy conductive circuit connected to the ignition coil secondary winding is in arc-gap relationship with each of the distributor output circuits and a rotatable member of insulating material, having one or more areas through which ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the output circuits at a time, is disposed within the arc-gaps and rotated in timed relationship with the engine.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with additional objects, advantages and features thereof, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of one embodiment of an ignition distributor of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of another embodiment of an ignition distributor of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line 66 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along line 77 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Throughout the several figures of the drawings, like elements have been assigned like characters of reference.

In the interest of reducing drawing complexity and since internal combustionengines and internal combustion engine spark plugs are well known in the automotive art and, per se, form no part of this invention, these items have not been shown in the drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings set forth one embodiment of an ignition distributor of this invention for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine.

A shaft member 10 is journaled for rotation in sleevetype bearings 12 and 14 within a base member 15 in timed relationship with the associated internal combustion engine in a manner well known in the automotive art. As is also well known in the automotive art, an internal combustion engine ignition distributor is provided with a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of the spark plugs of the associated internal combustion engine. In FIG. 3, these output circuits for an associated eight-cylinder internal combustion engine are referenced by the numerals 21 through 28, inclusive, with the second numeral designating the cylinder number. That is, output circuit 21 corresponds to the spark plug of engine cylinder No. 1, output circuit 22 corresponds to the spark plug of engine cylinder No. 2, etc.

An ignition spark energy conductive circuit through which the ignition spark energy may be conducted from the ignition coil secondary winding to the distributor output circuits, arranged to be electrically conducted to one side of the associated ignition coil secondary winding, is provided in arc-gap relationship with each of the output circuits. In FIG. 3, and without intention or inference of a limitation thereto, the ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with the distributor output circuits is illustrated as a spider" 30 of a conductive material, such as copper or aluminum, having radial arms 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, and 30h, each extending in the direction of the corresponding distributor output circuit. Although the ignition spark energy conductive circuit has been illustrated in the drawings as a spider" having radially extending arms, it is to be specifically understood that any other suitable configuration may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The ignition spark energy conductive circuit 30 is shown in FIG. 1 to be electrically connected to the distributor center input circuit 40 through which an electrical connection may be made 30. one side of the ignition coil secondary winding in a manner which is conventional in the present automotive art. In the interest of reducing drawing complexity and since automotive ignition coils are well known in the art, and, per se, form no part of this invention, the ignition coil has not been shown in FIG. 1. It is to be specifically understood, however, that one side of the secondary winding of the associated ignition coil may be directly connected to the ignition spark energy conductive circuit 30 without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, with ignition distributors having the ignition coil located in the distributor cap, one of the leads of the secondary winding of the ignition coil may be directly connected to the ignition spark energy conductive circuit 30,

The arc-gaps between the ignition spark energy conductive circuit and each of the distributor output circuits are referenced in FIG. 3 by reference numerals 31 through 38, inclusive.

A rotatable member of insulating material having an area through which ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the distributor output circuits at a time is disposed within the arc-gaps 31 through 38, inclusive, and is rotated by shaft member 10. In the drawings, and without intention or inference of a limitation thereto, a rotor member 45 having a cylindrical portion 41 of insulating material with an area, which may be a window or a slot 42, through which ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the distributor output circuits 21 through 28, inclusive, at a time is disposed within the arc-gaps and rotated by the shaft member. It is to be specifically understood that the rotatable member may be of any configuration so long that it is of insulating material, is disposed within the arc-gaps between the ignition spark energy conductive circuit and the associated distributor output circuits, has an area through which ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the distributor output circuits at a time and is rotated in timed relationship with the engine.

Assuming that shaft rotates rotor member 45 and the cylindrical portion 41 in a counterclockwise direction, the ignition spark energy is initially conducted from the ignition spark energy conductive circuit through window or slot 42 of cylinder 41 to distributor output circuit 21 and is successively conducted through window or slot 42 to distributor output circuits 28, 24, 23, 26, 25, 27, and 22, which is the normal firing order of an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine, I84-36572. That is, the distributor of this invention sequentially directs the ignition spark energy produced by the ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine.

FIGS. 4 through 7, inclusive, of the drawing set forth another embodiment of an ignition distributor of this invention for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine wherein the plurality of distributor output circuits, each corresponding to one of the spark plugs of the associated internal combustion engine, are arranged in a plurality of groups with the output circuits of each group being located in respective parallel spaced planes.

The distributor output circuits for an associated eight-cylinder, V-type internal combustion engine may be arranged in two groups of four output circuits per group. In FIG. 6, the output circuits of one group, which are located in the upper plane as looking at FIG. 4, are referenced by the numerals 52U, 53U, 55U and 58U and the output circuits of the other group, which are located in the lower plane as looking at FIG. 4, are referenced by the numerals 51L, 54L, 56L and 57L, with the second numeral designating the engine cylinder number. Referring to FIG. 4, which is a side view partially in cross-section of the ignition distributor of this embodiment, diametrically opposite distributor output circuits 52U and 53U are shown to be located in the same plane which is normal to the axis of shaft member 10. Diametrically opposite output circuits 55U and 58D, not shown in FIG. 4, are also located in this same plane. In FIG. 7, which is a section view of FIG.

6, output circuit 56L is shown to be located in another plane normal to the axis of shaft member 10 which is spaced from the plane in which output circuits 52U, 53U, 55U and 58U are located. Output circuits 51L, 54L and 57L, not shown in FIG. 7, are also located in this same plane.

In FIG. 6, and without intention or inference of a limitation thereto, the ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with the distributor output circuits through which the ignition spark energy may be conducted from the ignition coil secondary winding to the distributor output circuits is illustrated as a spider 50 of conductive material, such as copper or aluminum, having radial arms 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, 50g, and 50h, each extending in the direction of the corresponding distributor output circuit. Radial arms 50b, 50c, 50c and 50h lie in the same plane as the corresponding output circuits 52U, 53U, 55U and 58U and the terminal ends of each of radial arms 50a, 50d, 50fand 50g lie in the same plane as the corresponding distributor output circuits 51L, 54L, 56L and 57L, as is best seen in FIG. 4.

One terminal end 46 of ignition coil secondary winding 47 is electrically connected to the ignition spark energy conductive circuit 50, as is best seen in FIG. 4.

The arc-gaps between ignition spark energy conductive circuit 50 and each of the distributor output circuits are referenced in FIG. 6 by reference numerals 61 through 68, inclusive.

The rotatable member of insulating material of this embodiment, which may be rotor 70, has an area corresponding to each group of distributor output circuits through which the ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the distributor output circuits at a time and is disposed within the arc-gaps 61 through 68, inclusive, and rotated by shaft member 10. Without intention or inference of a limitation thereto, the rotatable member has a cylindrical portion 71 of insulating material with an area, which may be a window or a slot 72, through which the ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the distributor output circuits of the group of output circuits 52U, 55U, 53U and 58U at a time and another area, which may be a window or a slot 73, through which ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the output circuits of the group of output circuits 54L, 51L, 57L and 56L at a time disposed within the arc-gaps 61 through 68 and rotated by shaft member 10 in timed relationship with the engine.

Assuming that shaft member 10 rotates rotatable member 70 and the cylindrical portion 71 in a counterclockwise direction, the ignition spark energy is initially conducted from the ignition spark energy conductive circuit 50 through window or slot 73 of cylindrical portion 71 to distributor output circuit 51L and is successively conducted through window or slot 72 to output circuit 58U, through window or slot 73 to output circuit 54L, through window or slot 72 to output circuit 53U, through window or slot 73 to output circuit 56L, through window or slot 72 to output circuit 55U, through window or slot 73 to output circuit 57L and through window or slot 72 to output circuit 52U, which is the normal firing of an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine, 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. With the embodiment of the ignition distributor of this invention set forth in FIGS. 4 through 7, inclusive, the distributor output circuits corresponding to the cylinders of one engine cylinder bank may be brought out on one side of the distributor cap and the distributor output circuits corresponding to the cylinders of the other engine cylinder bank may be brought out on the other side of the In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 through 7, the plurality of distributor output circuits have been shown to be arranged in two groups of four output circuits per group. It is to be specifically understood that the plurality of distributor output circuits may be arranged in two groups of four output circuits per group or any other convenient arrangement.

While the drawing and specification of this application disclose and describe a plurality of ignition distributor output circuits, each corresponding to one of the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a single group lying in the same plane, FIGS. 1 through 4, and arranged in a plurality of groups with the output circuits of each group being located in respective parallel spaced planes normal to the axis of the shaft member 10, FIGS. 4 through 7, it is to be specifically understood that alternate arrangements may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, each of the plurality of output circuits may be located in a respective plane, in which instance, the plurality of output circuits would be arranged in a plurality of spaced planes. With this arrangement, the rotatable member of insulating material would have an area corresponding to each plane of output circuits through which the ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the output circuits at a time. That is, the rotatable member would have an area corresponding to each output circuit. Another arrangement would be to have the plurality of output circuits arranged in a plurality of concentric groups lying in the same plane,

The ignition spark energy conductive circuit has been illustrated in the drawing as a "spider" having radially extending arms. It is to be specifically understood that any other suitable configuration may be employed for the ignition spark energy conductive circuit without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The rotatable member of insulating material has been illustrated in the drawing as having windows or slots through which the ignition spark energy may be conducted to one of the output terminals at a time. It is to be specifically understood that these windows may have inserted therein slugs of a conductive material without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, an output circuit corresponding to each said spark plug of said associated internal combustion engine, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy arc penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in timed relationship with said engine.

2. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, an output circuit corresponding to each said spark plug of said associated internal combustion engine, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having a plurality of areas through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy are penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in a timed relationship with said engine.

3. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of said spark plugs of said associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a plurality of spaced planes, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area corresponding to each said plane of output circuits through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy are penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in timed relationship with said engine.

4. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of said spark plugs of said associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a plurality of groups, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits'through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area corresponding to each said group of output circuits through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy are penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said aregaps and rotated in timed relationship with said engine.

5. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of said spark plugs of said associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a plurality of groups with said output circuits of each said group being located in respective spaced planes,'an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area corresponding to each said group of output circuits through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy arc penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in timed relationship with said engine.

6. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, a base member, a shaft member journaled for rotation within said base member, a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of said spark plugs of said associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a plurality of groups with said output circuits of each said group being located in respective parallel spaced planes normal to the axis of said shaft member, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output cir cuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area corresponding to each said group of output circuits through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy are penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arcgaps and rotated by said shaft member.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3 79 ,135

DATED March 26, 1974 INVENTOR(S) Ronnalee House It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, Claim 1, lines 8 and 9, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Claim 2, lines 25 and 26, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy" Claim 3, lines 44 and 45, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Claim 4, lines 62 and 63, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Column 7, Claim 5, lines 15 and 16, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Column 8, Claim 6, lines 16 and 17, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy".

Signed and Sealed this tenth Day of February 1976 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3 1 5 DATED March 26, 1974 lNvENTOR(S) Ronnalee House It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, Claim 1, lines 8 and 9, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Claim 2, lines 25 and 26, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Claim 3, lines 44 and 45, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Claim 4, lines 62 and 63, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Column 7, Claim 5, lines 15 and 16, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy". Column 8, Claim 6, lines 16 and 17, delete the phrase, "having an area through which said ignition spark energy".

Signed and Scaled this tenth Day of February 1976 [SEAL] A ttes t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN A! 195N718 ff Commissioner uj'Parenrs and Trademarks 

1. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, an output circuit corresponding to each said spark plug of said associated internal combustion engine, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy arc penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in timed relationship with said engine.
 2. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, an output circuit corresponding to each said spark plug of said associated internal combustion engine, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap rElationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having a plurality of areas through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy arc penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in a timed relationship with said engine.
 3. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of said spark plugs of said associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a plurality of spaced planes, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area corresponding to each said plane of output circuits through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy arc penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in timed relationship with said engine.
 4. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of said spark plugs of said associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a plurality of groups, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area corresponding to each said group of output circuits through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy arc penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in timed relationship with said engine.
 5. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of said spark plugs of said associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a plurality of groups with said output circuits of each said group being located in respective spaced planes, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area corresponding to each said group of output circuits through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy arc penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated in timed relationship with said engine.
 6. An ignition distributor for sequentially directing the ignition spark energy produced by an ignition coil to the spark plugs of an associated internal combustion engine comprising, a base member, a shaft member journaled for rotation within said base member, a plurality of output circuits, each corresponding to one of said spark plugs of said associated internal combustion engine, arranged in a plurality of groups with said output circuits of each said group being located in respective parallel spaced planes normal to the axis of said shaft member, an ignition spark energy conductive circuit in arc-gap relationship with each of Said output circuits through which said ignition spark energy may be conducted to said output circuits, and a rotatable member of insulating material having an area corresponding to each said group of output circuits through which said ignition spark energy having an area through which said ignition spark energy arc penetrates from said ignition spark energy conductive circuit directly to one of said output circuits at a time disposed within said arc-gaps and rotated by said shaft member. 